I was crusing on your personal in kilometres 46 in a lengthy extend of dirt-road, which permitted me to Grab periodic looks at the Regal look at Mt Kinabalu over and rich greenish scenery below. I have been in the Exact same placement prior to this previous 12 months (in TMBT 2011) - exactly where issues had been heading fairly well, I was in the guide, and there was no apparent sense of exhaustion at that stage. better of all, I was feeling relaxed, comfy, and prepared to attempt the subsequent challenging, nearly raw number of ancestry and incline in the area of Kundasang. existence was fairly darn great then!
It created an appearance like TMBT had the capacity for evoking the type of feelings and exhilaration from me. although only 2nd in the series, it have been in a position to Produce a type of craze exactly where extremely-operating nerds and typical people resulted in from all within the world, wanting to undertake a individual problem of operating 50km or 100km in 1 day time. For some, it’s to Complete the Program inside the established time; for some, it’s for individual record; However for others, it’s triumph they are heading for.
I arrived at the competition with much less-than-optimal thighs. accidents have damaged my Planning to the stage that I have misplaced all aggressive advantage, so that I was only considering operating as nearly as much ast I could, and if the thighs allow, Complete the Program inside the cut-away time. It was my very first 100km, and I have no stress or expectancy to accomplish any type of result.
prior to the competition

prior to the competition, we noticed last year’s 100km champion – Jiri from Czech Republic, on our way to the Enrollment hall. He was using a poor day time – lacking his hooking up trip from KL to KK, lacking the shutter coach from KK airport terminal to Kundasang, and having to spend his personal cash to get a taxi cab to Kundasang. Because we had been remaining in the Exact same resort, we provided for him to get a raise from us to the resort from the Mt Kinabalu headquarters, and to the competition begin location the subsequent morning. 

competition briefingOn competition day time



The security alarm called at 4.30am. I awoke with just a dash of sleepiness. By and large, I have had a great 5 hrs of sleep, which is uncommon taking into consideration the reality I also have sleeplessness the previous night a large competition. It’s most likely Because i didn't consider TMBT as a competition, therefore there was no pre-competition adrenalin hurry and drama. My goal was just to operate as nearly as much ast I discomfort-freely could. The regular competition day time Program rapidly ensued: proteins beverages, breads with nutella, eggs. I was just attempting to employees as much meals into my nevertheless fifty percent-asleep belly as I could. As we all tucked on our competition gears, we fulfilled Jiri at the entry and created the way to the begin location. 
I have a quite simple competition strategy, which is to operate at a conversational, environmentally pleasant speed throughout smooth, energy-backpack throughout incline, and for the way the thighs feel, operate lower or lb lower the ancestry. In a 100km competition, there is no stage operating up the Slope, even from the begin. because of the Incredible height acquire of 4350m in TMBT, if you could book all your energy to do a energy backpack throughout all the incline, it’s currently an Incredible feat. There is genuinely no results in whacking up the hillsides and perishing after that. You only shed a couple of mere seconds if you walk, and then you can make them support by soaring Alpine. Obviously, persistence is the ANSWER TO performing the competition strategy well.
prepared to arranged away

prior to the startJeremy and his gf - AmandaMy gf and IAt the begin
The blowing wind was Especially powerful at the begin. I Was in the Entrance collection with my sibling and best buddy – Jeremy, every of who had been performing 50km. I was feeling relaxed then, and I quietly dedicated the entire operate to Lord in prayer. When the whistle proceeded to go away, the Entrance load up of athletes rapidly driven the way forward. I tucked to a comfy action, with every other with with Jeri (aka fatbird). The environment was mild and jovial, and I didn't concentrate on the quantity of athletes in Entrance of me. It’s too quickly in the competition to consider figures and strategy. I have heard about Jeri prior to but have By no means fulfilled her in individual so it was great to operate subsequent to her. We started talking Whilst operating. I was a small star-strike at very first but she turned out to be a very pleasant and simple individual.  
quickly we found the very first ascend. I started energy walking up the higher incline with a hands-on-knee posture. After the ascend, I ongoing to operate as a comfy speed. I arrived at the very first examine stage feeling clean, my physique had just warmed up up. 
competition overseer - Aman, providing last Coaching to the Entrance runnersThe begin


Discovering my dance

As with any extremely, my goal was to Look for a comfy dance exactly where I could luxury cruise on with out any apparent sense of exertion. At that stage, I could Determine a few 100km athletes in Entrance of me. Some of them had been operating up Slope. Wow, I believed that was a fairly ball-sy move to make so at the begin of the competition. although I purposely advised personally to keep a clear mind in my personal competition strategy, unconsciously I was beginning to have the warmth of the competition. I was most likely in sixth or seventh placement. Jiri was way forward. So had been Kia and Anders. Having so numerous athletes in Entrance of me at that stage created Discovering my dance a small harder. a part of me had to cope with the reality that I might no lengthier capture any glimpses of them any lengthier with every Extending gap, a part of me stored telling personally to stay patient. I went as rapidly as I easily could without feeling like I was over-striding or producing anything. I am in a position to operating up hillsides too, and performing so just seemed foolhardy so at the begin of the competition. In to re-arranged my mind space, I ceased searching forward at that stage and just targeted on my inhaling and exhaling and action. remarkably I arrived in the subsequent gate in third placement. Some athletes should have become misplaced. 


Jeri (aka fatbird) - a genuinely pleasant and simple individual Struggling
The competition ongoing at a speed that I could not match. Kia and Jiri seemed to be having no difficulty sustaining their guide. I was pleased to operate at my personal speed at the back. quickly, Anders went move me. He stated how some of them obtained misplaced because everybody was subsequent everyone. We both went with every other for some some time and discussed operating. He was a great guy, and a genuinely skilled and experienced extremely athlete who had very first location Complete in Sahara competition and great Complete in Gobi leave competition. But he too, arrived in this competition with some worrying accidents, which he has been Fighting for the previous 1 and a fifty percent years. Sigh. How debilitating accidents are. We both labored with every other for some time to see the Program guns, and assisted Motivate every other too. After a Whilst, I Acquired my speed and proceeded to go on to capture the subsequent athlete. 
operating with AndersFord heading powerful!
Staying moisturized and Motivated
The thing about operating in Malaysia is, with its warmth and humidity, you have to change the drinking water and drinking water as faithfully as you can. originating from Sydney exactly where I trained, I also have problem adapting to operating in tropic warmth. nearly without fail, I would be soaked in perspiration after operating for a much more than 30 moments in Malaysia. fortunately for the 2.5 Several weeks prior to TMBT, I was performing crisis Medicine, which enables me more versatility in instruction Program Because i was performing change work. I would attempt to do my instruction at about 10am-2pm as nearly as much ast I could to get a small bit of warmth instruction. although pitifully inadequate, at minimum it was not too large a jump for me to adapt to operating at home.
I attempted to consume about 1-1.5L of drinking water every and every hour. In every help train station, I would drink a container of drinking water correct away, and then filled once again two of my hands-stored bottles. throughout the operate, I will often have a drink every and every 5 moment or so. current study demonstrated two risks of moisture: Everyone is conscious of the very first - which is having too small fluids, which leads to dehydration. The 2nd results from Consuming too much basic drinking water without changing drinking water, which leads to exercise-induced hyponatraemia, which is similarly dangerous. So I created i utilized the moisture effervescent capsules that I bought online, which have a great quantity of drinking water.
As I went on, I noticed Kia in Entrance of me. He had pause and do some stretching. concerned that he may be experiencing accidents, I slowed up to inquire if he was ok. He stated he was okay and we both ongoing operating and talking. Kia is only 25 numerous years of age, and he has been performing extremely-operating for the previous 7 years! A genuinely Remarkable guy. Given his youthful age, he Certainly has a much more to display in the future.  After a Whilst, to my surprise, I noticed Jiri retracing his stages in Entrance of us. He thought he was misplaced. terms – the Path overseer proceeded to go by just at the correct time, and he convinced us that we had been on the correct track. Jiri seemed a small upset away. Jeffrey, an additional Remarkable Sabahan athlete, had also became a member of us at that time. So 4 of us created our way to examine stage 3. 


Calculating move
Jeffrey arranged away very rapidly from drinking water train station 3. Jiri and I proceeded to go after him. It was lower Slope all the way. in some way I experienced that the speed was reduced than my typical speed, so I chose to surpass Jiri for the very first time just see how it goes. Usually in any extremely, I would be wary of overpowering a athlete, more so a athlete of Jiri’s caliber, because it possibly implies that I am 1) heading quicker than I should, or 2) I might burn up afterwards and have the athlete surpass me in return. But this time I didn't have any doubt performing so Because i know that when I overtook Jiri, I was nevertheless operating way below my cardiovascular threshold. My heartbeat was seated at 145-150, and it was Alpine all the way. I have a unique market for Alpine operating, so I just allow the law of gravity take me lower as quick as I easily could. When I arrived in drinking water train station 4, I noticed Jeffrey departing the train station. I rapidly refueled and allow the marshals examine my obligatory items. When I arranged away, I noticed Jiri coming in. Jeffrey was most likely about 3 moments forward, and Jiri was about 3 moments at the rear of. 
operating after Jiri Team work
The subsequent area contain some severe incline. I altered to energy walking and targeted on producing my way up individuals hillsides. After about fifty percent an hour, I noticed Jeffrey in Entrance of me. I yelled to make my existence recognized to him, and to my surprise, he genuinely ceased there and anxiously waited for me. When I swept up to him, he did an even more astonishing thing by Maintaining my hands and assisting me up the incline. allow me condition it obviously that there is absolutely nothing sensuous or sensual about that act. He was performing it just as a pleasant motion to a other rival. I am comfy with Sabahan Hospitality, Because 1 of my best buddies is from Sabah and his loved types By no means does not make sure we feel warmed up and pleasant every time we arrived at Sabah. But stretching a hands literally for a other rival just appears to extend the thing a small bit, at minimum it is for me. So with every other, in attribute 1-malaysia style, we both stored hands and did the ascend with every other. I will By no means overlook his pleasant motion.
After a Whilst, we found some smooth floor and we started operating. I ultimately drawn from him and labored my way to the subsequent gate. When I arrived at WS 5, i passed a darkish chocolate clif-shot Club to the marshal and requested him to give it as a present to Jeffrey. Then I ongoing on. It was just an additional 5km of mild Alpine up until the fifty percent way tag. 
Jeffrey ( i will By no means overlook his pleasant motion which genuinely demonstrates the Nature of extremely-competition) fifty percent way tag
People say you notice a lot of higher and reduced throughout ultras. For most, fifty percent way tag always appears to be the hardest. Not so for me. I arrived at 50km gate in very first placement and feeling not too poor. The Work was nevertheless simple but beginning to advantage towards the very first feeling of exhaustion. I rapidly refueled, altered socks, Gathered a few more carbamide peroxide gel and pubs and get personally psychologically ready for the subsequent assault of ancestry and incline. After I was done, my gf stated a brief prayer for me prior to I remaining. In my heart, I kind of fear the subsequent area a small bit. Given its razor-sharp increase and drop of elevation and height, I think this is exactly where the competition would nearly always notice a conclusive transferring or business of positions.
I know from TMBT 2011, the competition only started after the 50km. this previous 12 months, Dino and Yip had been both in the guide at the fifty percent way tag. Dino was very first although he was noticeably straining; Yip created an appearance as if he nevertheless had a great deal in the tank. I appreciated Dino arrived at 50km tag not too lengthy after I completed my 50km competition, and he was whining of how exhausted he was and how only Lord recognized how he experienced. At that stage, I understood that he was done, that other people who have arranged aside more energy than him would surpass him ultimately. As for Yip, it was regrettable that he started having intestinal issues at about 70km tag. out of manage getting rid of ceased him from ongoing to competition, so he required protection at a villager’s home to Relaxation with the night. It was then that Jiri and an additional United kingdom athlete overtook every of them on the way to Complete.
I know that the only way for 1 to surpass me is if I stop ongoing to move forward because of extreme exhaustion, or if I move forward at the speed of a snail. I thought that if I keep heading at a great speed, it would be quite difficult for 1 to surpass me, Unless of Program of Program, if they operate quicker. I know that as lengthy as I continue at a great environmentally pleasant speed, I would have absolutely nothing to be concerned about.
talking to mike (2nd location finisher in 50km who turned out to be my oldest sibling's buddy in Barclays in Singapore)My gf hoping for me prior to i arranged away for the subsequent 50kmPsyching upSaying cya to the kidsHarn (my sibling)  completing the 50km competition in fourth placeJeremy completing the 50km competition in fifth location (without much instruction!)producing buddies with the FRIM athletes. Allan shelter (centre) - a accurate extremely-marathonerA number of 4 raw incline
From the 50km tag, it was Alpine all the way. I was traveling together at a comfy speed. All of a sudden, I thought I noticed somebody putting on Eco-friendly (Jeffrey was putting on a Eco-friendly top) in Entrance of me. When I looked Very carefully once again, the individual was gone. I thought it must be some villager. After an additional 5 moments of operating, the Exact same individual created an appearance in Entrance of me once again! Not again it was Jeffrey! I rapidly yelled for him. He ceased correct away, and when I swept up, I informed him that he had skipped a gate! evidently at a essential 4 way stop in between WS 7 and WS 5, he turned remaining Rather than correct (there had been marks in both directions), therefore lacking WS 6 altogether. The information should have strike him like super bolt, and I could see pure frustration created all over his face. He proceeded to go back the way he came from dejectedly, and I know his competition could well be over at that stage. I experienced genuinely unfortunate for him. He was heading so well, and who knows what he could accomplish had he utilized the appropriate Path. I found the very first ascend with clean thighs. in some way the ascend just experienced limitless. When I lastly arrived at the finish, it was Alpine once again and I completely loved the great time of operating Alpine. When I found the 2nd incline, instantly I experienced there isn’t much energy continued to be for the ascend.
Experiencing reduced stage – Discovering Resolve
The sunlight was correct over me and I started to have the warmth of the mid-day sunlight heading for a cost on my physique. My hamstring muscle was beginning to feel very stiff, so had been my calves. I could inform that my thighs just had been not as eager in walking the Slope as prior to. I was thinking this is exactly where Jiri might surpass me. nearly instinctively, my physique utilized care of instantly this thought by enhancing the speed of incline, which genuinely wasn’t wise and environmentally pleasant. If remaining unchecked, I could rapidly go lower in a volitile manner of increasing speed and adding to exhaustion at the Exact same time. identifying that I am using a reduced stage, I rapidly turned the Psychological change and just attempted to concentrate on taking 1 action at a time Rather than allowing aggressive devils manage my feet. At that stage, the guidance of the past due Micah accurate found thoughts. ‘Don’t battle the trail. Take what it provides you. If you have a option in between 1 action or two in between rocks, take three.’ From storage, the 2nd incline was the steepest and longest, so I just have to grasp sufficient energy and bravery to conquer this tough patch. To help me in this apparently limitless ascend, I placed on my ipod device new ipod device nano and allow the songs draw attention away from my thoughts. It should have labored. quickly I started to see the finish of the ascend, and I just could not wait around to get out of it.
Maintaining onsustaining my speed
The subsequent area was a lengthy extend of freeway that is below construction. after i strike the freeway, every and every thing started once again its regular rhythm. My inhaling and exhaling grew to become more stable, action lighter, muscle tissue more relaxed, and I was no lengthier perspiring like crazy. At the finish of the breezy freeway, I appreciated searching at the rear of to find Jiri. No 1 was there. At that stage, I was certain that I have opened up a 20-30 moment gap. Because then, I ceased thinking about him and just ongoing at my personal speed. I know that if I can give a significant Work for the Relaxation of the operate, I might earn the competition. I arrived in WS 9, 74km tag in precisely 9 hrs. 
The trip seems limitlessMaintaining relaxed

An essential a part of operating extremely, is Maintaining relaxed and psychologically clean. Because there are so numerous arbitrary factors in a competition, exactly where issues can go wrong, it is so essential to totally reset your thoughts every time you get to a help train station, and not allow individuals poor feelings wreck the competition. Coz once exhaustion models in, it could increase at an rapid price if you don’t Ensure that it stays in examine. 
I appreciated an extremely-operating study, which I required part a 30 days ago. The study was searching at the impact of extremely operating on intellectual working of individual athletes. It is to see if I was nevertheless in a position to think obviously, logically, and rationally after operating for hrs. It is not difficult to comprehend the reality that the more exhausted a individual is, the much less capability the individual has in producing great decisions. That’s why numerous athletes have a tendency to shed it afterwards in a competition.

When I arranged away from WS 9, I was nevertheless feeling fine. The marshals informed me there are nevertheless two more ascents to go, but they are not as poor as the very first two types I have just done. Phew! What a relief. I ongoing to make my way to the subsequent examine stage, and the unpredicted happened. 




searching for solution

In WS 10 (81.5km tag), after I filled once again my drinking water bottles, I was searching for my moisture capsules and the entire pipe was no lengthier in my bag. Gosh. I should have fallen it in WS 9 or Whilst operating. I rapidly interviewed my other options. I only have 2 more carbamide peroxide gel remaining, and fifty percent a Club of darkish chocolate Club. With 2 carbamide peroxide gel and fifty percent a Club and 18.5km to go (most of it was uphill), I thought it is nevertheless not so poor. I required 1 carbamide peroxide gel at that time, and then arranged away at a regular speed. My physique should have so utilized to Consuming electrolyte beverages that the 2nd I started Consuming drinking water throughout the operate, it experienced away. It experienced horrible!
After operating for about fifty percent an hour, I started having cramp in my reduce back. Not again, the thought of operating reduced of drinking water just strike me difficult at that time! I rapidly completed the Relaxation of the Club and ingested some drinking water at the Exact same time. fortunately the cramp didn't stay for lengthy. I was nevertheless in a position to operate throughout smooth and Alpine. When I arrived at WS 11 (87.5km), it was beginning to get darkish.
adapting to a new environment
every and every thing altered when it’s darkish. It nearly experienced like the buzz of the competition is all gone, and what’s remaining is your footstep, and a 50m of lighting in Entrance of you. In to concentrate on the Path forward, I altered away my ipod device and just targeted in Discovering the Program guns. I must acknowledge that operating in darkish is difficult, Especially when the Program guns aren’t so reflective. The blowing wind grew to become stronger, warmth started to plummet, and the anxiety about unfamiliar or dropping the way all increase the intricacy of operating in the darkish. To think that dealing with the organic Components had been poor sufficient, the canines had been much fiercer at night. In a number of events I had to claim my tone of voice or physique to battle the canines. It’s Certainly not a great concept for a woman to operate on your personal, especially if she is scared of canines. After some time of cautious operating, I lastly arrived in the last WS – WS 12. At that stage, because of misplaced or utilized guns for the Relaxation of the Path, I was requested to wait around in that train station till they renewed the guns. I was eager then! The marshals had been kind sufficient to provide me some biscuits. So I just wolfed lower the cookie and anxiously waited with persistence for the Eco-friendly mild to have on. 

exhausted and batteredlower the storage lane
I didn't understand that I had anxiously waited 30 moments in WS 12. When I lastly obtained the ‘Go’ from competition overseer, whoever-is-in-2nd location nevertheless had not turned out However. At that stage, I understood that I currently received the competition. That if I make it to the Complete collection safely, I will do Malaysia very pleased by successful TMBT 2012. The last 2-3 kilometres had been the most calming 2nd in the entire competition. I was traveling. A lot of issues entered my thoughts then. The people, the villagers, the discomfort that I skilled, all the competitors who would be operating with the chilly and Lonesome night, my beautiful gf, and most of all, the Incredible elegance of Lord which continual me with the entire trip. I could not have created it this much on my personal. I was Full of unspeakable pleasure and gratitude.
At the last Alpine to the Complete collection, 1 of the marshals went with me till we arrived at the school. The Digital camera team had been there. My best buddies Jeremy and Amanda-m had been there. And most importantly, my gf, who has been hoping non-stop for me with the entire competition, was there. I entered the Complete collection at a time of 12:57:02. The competition is lastly over. 
Crossing the Complete lineGiving my gf 1 large embrace for all the assistance she has given me. I could not have tried it without her.Jeremy and I
To Lord be the gloryThank you, dear!Jiri and terms - the Path coordinator. A large thumbs up to them!The marshal who went the last kilometres with me. numerous thanks bro!Icing my thighs after the operate :DGood cya TMBT. See you once again subsequent 12 months!